Friday, July 27, 2012

Alcohol
consumption has been linked to an increased risk for various types of cancer. A
combined analysis of more than 200 studies assessing the link between alcohol
and various types of cancer sought to investigate this association in more
detail. This study found that alcohol most strongly increased the risks for
cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, and larynx. Statistically
significant increases in risk also existed for cancers of the stomach, colon,
rectum, liver, female breast, and ovaries. Several mechanisms have been
postulated through which alcohol may contribute to an increased risk of cancer.
Concurrent tobacco use, which is common among drinkers, enhances alcohol's
effects on the risk for cancers of the upper digestive and respiratory tract

Regular alcohol consumption can have
numerous consequences, beneficial or detrimental, on the health of the drinker.
For example, light-to-moderate alcohol consumption may protect against
certain types of heart disease and stroke. Conversely, heavy drinking has been
associated with liver disease; cardiovascular disease; disorders of the
digestive tract; and illness or death from alcohol-related injuries, motor
vehicle crashes, and violence. Another group of disorders that has been linked
to drinking is cancer, particularly cancers of the upper airway and digestive
tract

Alcohol
consumption also is associated with primary liver cancer. This relationship is
difficult to investigate in epidemiological studies, however, because it is
more indirect. Thus, alcohol causes cirrhosis of the liver in a substantial
proportion of heavy drinkers, which then can lead to liver cancer. In addition,
heavy alcohol consumption can increase the drinker's risk for infection with
the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which in turn can also result in liver cancer.

Alcohol consumption also has been linked to cancers of
the large bowel in both men and women and to breast cancer in women, although
these associations have not yet been proven unequivocally. Nevertheless,
because these are the two most common types of cancer in developed countries
after lung cancer, even a moderate increase in risk may result in a relatively
large number of additional cases and therefore have important public health
implications. The increased risk of cancer among heavy drinkers is primarily
attributed to the alcohol in alcoholic beverages. Thus, the risk tends to
increase with the overall amount of alcohol consumed.

If you are facing the possibility of a cancer in your
future and have decided that now is the time to quit your alcohol addiction.
Contact us at Above It All Treatment Center for a personalized evaluation and
consultation to set up a program designed just for you. Working together, we can set you on the road
to an alcohol free life and lessen the possibility of cancer in your future.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Smokers
Anonymous, Over-eaters Anonymous, are all variations of the 12 Step Program,
billed as a "non-denominational rehabilitation program" for people
with substance abuse and other psychological, social and physical issues.

The pain, turmoil, and devastation caused by addiction needs
to come to an end. Help is needed. Help is available. Today can be that
day, to put an end to the vicious cycle of despair and confusion.

A TWELVE-STEP program is a guiding
set of principles that, when practiced, leads to recovery from addictive
behavior. The steps were originally developed by the fellowship of Alcoholics
Anonymous ("AA") to guide recovery from alcoholism. AA's purpose is
to provide the recovering alcoholic (addict) with the tools to stay sober and
help others achieve sobriety. Participants benefit from the shared camaraderie
among group members.

The basis of the 12 step programs can be used in a variety
of different situations, but is widely used in programs that treat addictions.
The 12 step program has traditionally been based on Christian ideology but can
be changed to meet each individual's recovery needs. According to
www.12step.org, the steps are as follows: 1) powerlessness, 2) hope, 3) faith,
4) inventory, 5) honesty, 6) preparation, 7) letting go, 8) humility, 9)
forgiveness, 10) continuous inventory, 11) conscious contact, and 12) carrying
the message. Those people who are in recovery need to focus on each step
individually and not move on to the next until the previous step has been
completed. These steps or a variation thereof are used in most 12 step
programs, and challenge the person in recovery to stay on task and address the
issues that are destroying them.

If you would like to try a 12 step program that is delivered
by certified professionals who will work out a plan that fits your needs and
desires, then contact us at Above
It All Treatment Center. We are here
to make sure that you get on the road to a successful relapse free recovery.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Americans
have a complicated history with alcohol. At the end of the 19th century,
politicians, women's groups, and churches banded together to convince lawmakers
to outlaw alcohol. In 1919, the U.S. Congress passed the 18th Amendment, making
the sale and distribution of alcohol illegal. Alcohol consumption declined but
did not stop. In 1933, Prohibition ended and since then, millions of Americans
have made alcohol a part of their social life.
In the 1960s, E. M. Jellinek pioneered the idea that excessive and
harmful use of alcohol was a disease. Within a decade, public campaigns were
launched in the United States to educate people about alcoholism as an illnessIt’s not always
easy to see when your drinking has crossed the line from moderate or social use
to problem drinking. But if you consume alcohol to cope with difficulties or to
avoid feeling bad, you’re in potentially dangerous territory. Alcoholism and
alcohol abuse can sneak up on you, so it’s important to be aware of the warning
signs and take steps to cut back if you recognize them. Understanding the
problem is the first step to overcoming it.Alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence, is a chronic, progressive, and potentially
fatal disease. Characteristics of alcoholism include the following:

Drinking excessive amounts frequently

Inability to curb drinking despite medical, psychological, or
social complications

Increased tolerance to alcohol

Occurrence of withdrawal symptoms when the person stops drinking

Substance
abuse experts make a distinction between alcohol abuse and alcoholism (also
called alcohol dependence). Unlike alcoholics, alcohol abusers have some
ability to set limits on their drinking. However, their alcohol use is still
self-destructive and dangerous to themselves or others.Common signs and symptoms of
alcohol abuse include:

Repeatedly neglecting your responsibilities at home, work, or school
because of your drinking

Using alcohol in situations where it’s physically dangerous

.

Experiencing repeated legal problems on account of your drinking

.

Continuing to drink even though your alcohol use is causing problems
in your relationships

.

Drinking as a way to relax or de-stress

If you are having issues with
alcohol, whether it be alcoholism or alcohol abuse, we can help. At Above It All Treatment Centers, our
professional staff will work with you to design a path to recovery that will
lead you to a better life.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Most treatment centers fail in their approach to alcohol abuse recovery
because they treat addiction as if it is the problem, instead of looking for
the deeper underlying issues. Their solution is a one-size-fits-all
"group" approach, where you are placed with strangers in group
meetings, then told that you have a disease that you are powerless over, and
the best you can hope to do is manage it with a lifelong commit to 12 Step
meetings and daily calls to your sponsor. Anything short of that and they say
you will relapse. This archaic model is out of date and is used by almost all
12 Step based rehab centers in the nation.

Some of the most
common underlying issues that cause people to use drugs and alcohol are low
self-esteem, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, loss of loved ones, trauma,
molestation, headaches, insomnia, physical pain, chemical imbalance, ADD, lack
of purpose, and family turmoil. Once you
identify and heal the underlying issue that's driving your dependency on drugs
and alcohol, you will have reached a major milestone, and be that much closer
to your permanent sobriety.

While we offer
standard 12 step recovery programs that is not always the best route for
everyone. At Above It All treatment
facilities, we tailor a person plan that is suited to you and your needs. Our team of professionals will follow you
throughout your recovery and make adjustments to your program based on your
needs. We are here to assist you in
making a lasting recovery that will be relapse free.